By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.

Leaping lizards! ‘Annie’ joins Playhouse Merced line-up

Sharing the starring role of Annie is Abby Samuelson of Merced and Zoe Freitas Scott of Modesto.
- photo by Photo by Shawn Overton

Staff reports

Turlock Journal

Updated:
Nov. 9, 2018, 8 p.m.

Playhouse Merced is bringing the irrepressible comic strip
heroine to the stage with their production of “Annie.”Based on the popular comic
strip by Harold Gray, “Annie”has become a worldwide phenomenon, and was the winner
of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The book and score by Tony Award
winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features some of
the most iconic musical theater songs including “Tomorrow” and “It’s a
Hard-Knock Life.” The show at Playhouse Merced
opens Nov. 16 and will continue through Dec. 9. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays
and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.Abby Samuelson of Merced, and Zoe Freitas Scott of Modesto
are sharing the title role of “Annie,” with Farris Larsen as Miss. Hannigan and
Jesse Stofle as Daddy Warbucks. The show is co-directed by Playhouse Merced
Interim Artistic Director Corey Strauss, and Playhouse Merced Young Artist
Conservatory Alumna Madison Mitchell, with Music Direction by Tammy Borges, and
costumes by Cindy Strauss. The show is sponsored by Dr. Vikram and Priya
Lakireddy Family.With equal measures of pluck
and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a
next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the
parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City
Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of
the other girls in the orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC.
In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil
machinations and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Annie
finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal
secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. Tickets are $15 to $22, with $10 tickets available through
the Box Office for anyone under 18 years old. Tickets and information are
available at the Playhouse Merced box office at 452 W. Main St or by calling
209.725.8587, or by going to playhousemerced.com.